Creating A Herb Garden: Tips, Benefits & Supply List

There's nothing quite like the taste of fresh herbs straight from your garden! Whether you're making homemade pasta sauce with basil or adding mint to your iced tea, having your own herb garden is a rewarding and practical way to enhance your cooking and enjoy gardening. Here’s everything you need to know to get started.

Location:

Herbs love sunlight. Most require at least 6 hours of direct sun daily, so choose a sunny windowsill, balcony, or a spot in your yard that gets plenty of light. If you don’t have much outdoor space, indoor herb gardens thrive in containers on a windowsill or under a grow light

Varieties:

Start with easy-to-grow, versatile herbs, especially if you're new to gardening. Popular choices include:

• Basil – Great for pasta, salads, and pesto
• Parsley – Perfect in soups, sauces, and as garnish
• Thyme – Pairs well with meats and stews
• Mint – Ideal for drinks and desserts
• Cilantro – A must-have for salsa and Mexican dishes
• Rosemary – Great with roasted vegetables and poultry
• Chives – Perfect for topping baked potatoes or omelets

Get your own herb stakes here!

Pick Your Containers or Garden Bed:

Depending on your space, choose:

• Pots with drainage holes – Ideal for windowsills or patios
• Raised garden beds – Great for larger outdoor spaces
• Hanging planters – Save space and add visual interest
• Stackable vertical planters – Perfect for small spaces or balcony gardening

Get the Right Soil:

Herbs need well-draining soil. Use a high-quality potting mix formulated for vegetables or herbs. Avoid heavy garden soil for containers—it can retain too much water and cause root rot.

Watering and Maintenance:

• Water regularly, but don’t overdo it—most herbs prefer slightly dry soil over soggy roots.
• Harvest frequently to encourage growth.
• Fertilize lightly every few weeks with an organic, water-soluble fertilizer.

 Recommended Products for Your Herb Garden:

Here are some essential tools and products to help you succeed:

• Pots or Planters with good drainage
• Organic Potting Mix 
• Herb seeds or starter plants from local nurseries
• Plant stakes to keep track of what you’ve planted
• Watering can or hose
• Grow light (for indoor gardens or low-light homes)
• Garden scissors for clean harvesting

Final Tips:

• Group herbs with similar water and sun needs together.
• Don’t overcrowd pots—herbs need room to grow.
• Keep your herbs near your kitchen for easy access while cooking.

Creating an herb garden is simple, budget-friendly, and incredibly rewarding. Whether you're working with a small balcony or a backyard, fresh herbs are just a few steps away. Don’t forget to play around with the aesthetics of your garden – I love adding decorative features like stakes and stone figures that really make it come to life.  

Every garden needs a caterpillar statue!